Tooth Brushing Tips for Tots

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Tooth Brushing Tips for Tots

By Beaudry

Any parent whose toddler has clamped his mouth shut tightly during tooth

brushing time knows that enforcing good dental hygiene can spark a daily war of

wills. Moms and dads, don't let tooth brushing become a battleground in your

house! Step up to the challenge and learn some great tricks of the trade to set

your child on his way to good dental care habits and a healthy smile!

They're Just Baby Teeth.

Even though it's true that your child's primary, or " baby, " teeth are

eventually going to fall out, it's still crucial that parents and kids practice

good dental habits from early on. Baby teeth help your child speak clearly and

chew food. They also hold the space in a child's jaw so that the permanent teeth

developing under the gums can grow in straight.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that once a child's

teeth appear, parents clean them twice a day with a soft, child-sized

toothbrush. While using damp gauze or a soft wet cloth works well on baby's

sensitive gums, a toothbrush is going to do a better job on a toddler's teeth,

which are now closer together and more likely to have plaque-the soft, sticky,

bacteria-containing deposits that accumulate on the teeth and cause decay. So

what's the trick to getting toddlers to let you brush their pearly whites?

a.. Monkey See, Monkey Do

From the time your child is a baby, let him watch you brush your teeth.

Show him through your smiles and actions how fun it is, and when your child is

old enough, allow him to brush " just like Mommy and Daddy " do! It's OK if he

chews on the bristles and just has a bit of water on the brush-you are settling

the foundations of a healthy habit (and doing as what you can to avoid tooth

brushing tantrums later!).

a.. Get Goofy

Look in your child's mouth and tell her you see something in there she'll

find funny: mashed potatoes, pumpkins, sugar bugs, etc. Be silly about it,

exclaiming, " Oh boy! We'd better get those giant tomatoes out of your teeth! "

with flair. If you play the dramatic comedian, your child is likely to focus

more on you than the brush going into her mouth.

a.. Sing a Silly Song

Children love routine, and singing the same song each night will help calm

your child-he will appreciate the predictability. Singing will also make the

brushing time pass more quickly! Raffi has a great tooth brushing song, or you

can make up your own song to a familiar tune. Don't be afraid to use nonsense

words, sound effects-whatever it takes to get the job done.

a.. Make it a Game

Think of something your child really likes and apply it to dental hygiene.

If your daughter adores animals, look in her mouth and pronounce, " It's a jungle

in there! " She can growl like a ferocious tiger while you brush the front teeth

and open wide like an alligator to get those back teeth. Make it fun!

Is your child reluctant to let you brush? Switch roles! Give your brush to

your little one and let him brush your teeth first-then you can return the

favor. Laugh and giggle while your teeth are being cleaned so your child sees

how enjoyable it can be!

a.. Countdown

Some children like having parents count slowly as their teeth are brushed;

this can be relaxing, and the child can anticipate when you will be finished by

counting silently with you, knowing that once you reach ten, time is up. You can

also try counting the child's teeth aloud: " Tooth Number One is sparkling

clean! "

a.. Brush with a Buddy

Brushing with a favorite stuffed animal can be fun! Try designating a

toothbrush specifically for your child to use to brush teddy's teeth, then you

brush your child's teeth. Have your little one demonstrate good tooth brushing

habits to his or her play friend.

a.. Sticking with It

Is your toddler unmotivated to keep his teeth clean? Try that time-tested

technique of giving a sticker on a chart as a reward for a tooth brushing job

well done. Perhaps after a certain number of stickers earned he can choose a new

toothbrush as a prize.

a.. Relinquish Some Control

Does your two-year-old insist on doing everything for herself? If so,

don't fight her! Let her go at those teeth with her brush first, doing the best

she can. When she's finished, you can give her teeth a quick once-over, maybe

even letting her hold the brush with you. Don't be afraid to be silly: " I think

you missed a watermelon back there! "

a.. Winnie the Pooh Brushes His Teeth Too!

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends young

children use a soft-bristled brush with a small head. Thankfully for parents,

there are many of these toothbrushes available with beloved characters on them.

So if your son is a big fan of Barney, by all means buy the toothbrush with the

purple dinosaur. Older children with more manual dexterity think battery

operated brushes are great.

You may have heard that it's necessary to replace adult tooth

brushes every three or four months. The ADA says children's toothbrushes often

need replacing even more frequently than adults' because they wear out sooner.

You should also get your child a new brush after he has had a bad cold, strep

throat, or other infection.

Using Toothpaste

Toothpaste isn't necessary for toddlers-and the type formulated for

adults isn't healthy for kids, since a little one could swallow too much

fluoride, leading to a staining of the teeth (fluorosis). The AAPD does not

recommend using children's fluoridated toothpaste (unless recommended by a

pediatric dentist) until your child is age two to three and able to spit the

paste out. At that point, parents still need to supervise brushing and make sure

the child uses no more than a pea-sized amount of paste on the brush. Until a

child is ready to begin using paste, plain water is a fine alternative.

As your child gets older, she will have a better understanding of

tooth decay and cavities-but until then, the job of beginning healthy dental

care falls to you. So have fun and get creative with ways to brush. And don't

forget to floss!

Related Articles:

All About Baby-to-Kid Teeth

Tales of Teething

The Best Ways to Save a Smile

The Intercontinental Tooth Fairy